Five pivotal games in the Premier League title race

With only 12 games remaining until a Premier League winner is crowned, four teams are still fighting tooth and nail for the right to lay claim to being the division's very best.

Whether your money is on high-flying Leicester, hard-working Tottenham, the ever-present Arsenal, or the inconsistent Manchester City, everyone seems to have a different opinion on where the Premier League trophy will lie come the end of the season.

SUBMIT AN ARTICLE

As we enter into one of the most nail-biting final third's of the season this League has ever seen, we take a look at five remaining fixtures which might just prove pivotal in determining who will be crowned champions.

Tottenham v Arsenal - 5th March

A fixture that is always one of the highlights of the Premier League calendar, regardless of its title-deciding significance. Throw in that significance however, and this is sure to be one of the games of the season.

With local rivals Chelsea stagnating in the lower half of the table, and both Manchester sides struggling for both goals and consistency in recent times, many predicted that this would be Arsenal's best shot at a title in years.

But not Arsenal's bitter and eternal rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

A club with lofty ambitions and seemingly constantly on the cusp of making that step up to the next level, Tottenham fans have seldom had much reason to truly get excited in recent years.

Enter Mauricio Pochettino. Tasked with finally getting Tottenham into that elusive fourth Champions League spot, and trimming an expensive and overly large squad, the Argentinian manager has worked miracles in the north of London.

Employing a high-intensity, high-press style of play that has been lauded by both fans and pundits alike, Tottenham have performed well beyond even their most optimistic fan's expectations this season - currently sitting only two points behind leaders Leicester.

With Arsenal having secured a vital, last-gasp win against fellow title chasers Leicester last game out, and Tottenham on a five-game winning streak, the second North-London derby of the Premier League season is sure to be a belter.

Manchester United v Leicester - 30th April

The first of Leicester's final three games of the season, and one of the biggest obstacles remaining between them and an historic Premier League title.

Despite United's form this season being inconsistent at best, a trip to Old Trafford in the final few weeks of the season is definitely not something to be scoffed at.

Were Leicester to maintain their fine form between now and the end of the season, this game could present a vital three points for the Foxes in terms of getting an advantage over their rivals, many of whom also still have tough away fixtures remaining.

This fixture might also be crucial to the home side, providing they can get their top four push back on track with a good run of form between now and then - United currently sit six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

However, Leicester might benefit from the fact that United's attentions appear to have shifted from finishing fourth in the Premier League, to winning the Europa League - something that would also bring with it a Champions League spot for next season.

Were they to reach the latter stages of this competition as well as the FA Cup, fixture congestion might start to become an issue for United, whereas Leicester's have only their 12 remaining Premier League fixtures left to play.

Chelsea v Tottenham - 30th April

Another London derby, and another potentially crucial fixture in this year's title race. Tottenham's trip to Stamford Bridge in late April is sure to be one of the defining games of their season.

Despite Tottenham's impressive form this season - and the less than impressive form of their Champions League-chasing neighbours Chelsea - this fixture has often been Tottenham's Achilles heel, and is, without doubt, one of their biggest remaining games this season.

They have only beaten their illustrious neighbours once in their last 13 encounters, that victory famously coming on New Year's day last season when Tottenham won 5-3 at White Hart Lane, inflicting one of only three losses on Chelsea last season.

Spurs fans can take some solace from this year's table however, with Tottenham currently sitting a massive 18 points ahead of their rivals after the same amount of games.

The north London club also possess a far superior goal difference to Chelsea, who have only been able to muster a +2 difference compared to Tottenham's +27 - a league best.

With Chelsea resurgent under returning interim manager Guss Hiddink and Tottenham still fighting for victory on three fronts (Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League), this encounter is sure to be a feisty affair.

Manchester City v Arsenal - 7th May

A fixture that many picked out at the start of the year as being the nearest thing to a guaranteed title-decider as you were likely to find this season.

With Manchester City being many people's pre-season favourites to lift the trophy this year, and Arsenal arguably possessing their best squad since the Invincibles of 2003-2004, this is a game that has had fans drooling ever since the fixture list was released last June.

Although many predicted this late-season clash would be a genuine, 1st v 2nd, top of the table title-decider, things since haven't gone exactly to plan for either side.

City have struggled for consistency all season and have been hindered by near-constant injuries to two of their star performers in Sergio Aguero and club captain Vincent Kompany.

Arsenal have also had struggles of their own. Plagued by the injuries that seem to so often decide their season, Arsenal have seen Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Francis Coquelin and more recently Alexis Sanchez, all miss large parts of the season.

Despite their injury woes, Arsenal sit only two points behind surprise leaders Leicester, with City only a further four behind them.

Both sides will know full well exactly how much can happen in such a short space of time in the Premier League and both sides will be absolutely desperate to secure all three points when the two come together on the 7th May.

Chelsea v Leicester - 15th May

The one fixture that everyone predicted would play its part in deciding who would be crowned Premier League Champions.

Not many people however, predicted it would be the away side heading into the tie with the title on the line.

Leicester's meteoric rise from Premier League minnows to bona fide title favourites has been the underdog tale of the century.

With their smash-and-grab style of play stealing hearts all around the country, many will watch with baited breath when the Foxes clash with European giants Chelsea on the final day of the season.

Chelsea are also hoping to be active on multiple fronts come the end of the season and with the Champions League now considered as the only way in which they could save their season, it might just hand Leicester the advantage.

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: http://gms.to/writeforgms

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.